Leading playground equipment manufacturer, Timberline, has launched a revolutionary new environmental learning facility - the Eco Lodge.

A UK first, the Eco Lodge not only gives schools additional space for an extra classroom or activity centre but also provides a key teaching resource, helping children to actively learn about the importance of the environment.

The fully enclosed and insulated timber structure has been designed to help schools meet their sustainability targets. With low energy lighting, enhanced thermal efficiency and a renewable power supply, running costs can be reduced by up to 77.2 per cent - reducing energy costs by up to £672 each year and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 81 per cent. *

Simon Fearnehough, Timberline founder, said: "We've specifically developed the Eco Lodge to help the education sector in its drive for eco-efficiency, especially given the Government's target for every school in the UK to be sustainable by 2020.

"We're really excited about the Eco Lodge and the benefits it can bring to UK schools - demand so far has been great, with 73 enquiries from the preview alone. Not only is it an energy-efficient building that will significantly reduce energy costs but it is also a living, learning facility in which children can explore what a sustainable lifestyle means and see how important it is to protect the planet for future generations."

The Eco Lodge has a range of extra accessories to help enhance both school and community environmental projects including: a sedum roof to attract wildlife, mini greenhouse, solar panel, water butt, wind turbine and nesting boxes.

Shepley First School in Huddersfield is the very first school in the UK to take delivery of an Eco Lodge. Timberline worked closely with staff to create a bespoke facility to meet all key teaching requirements. Installed in March it is already being used as a designated classroom for the school's 'Learning through the Landscape' Project.

Val Hollingworth, School Business Manager, said: "The Eco Lodge is an incredible learning tool which will teach our children about the importance of the environment, allowing them to observe the changing seasons. It's not only given us a much needed extra classroom but it will also help us to make a significant impact on our eco-drive, especially as we are aiming for the Green Flag Gold Eco Award this year.

"The children are delighted with it and have already had tremendous fun growing their own food to eat at lunchtime, going on mini beast hunts and seeing the different wildlife attracted to the sedum roof. We are also planning to make the Eco Lodge available to the wider community, with the local bird watching association already expressing interest in using the facility."

The Eco Lodge is available in three sizes (5m x 5m / 5m x 7.5m / 5m x 10m). Prices start from £23,492 excl VAT, including delivery and installation. For further information visit www.timberline.co.uk or call 0845 606 6475 to also speak to a specialist funding consultant about the range of options available and support on bid applications.

ENDS

Notes to editors: *Research carried out by Green Heat Ltd, February 2011 - Timberline's Eco Lodge was compared to a standard 1940s school building.

About Timberline * Timberline is one of the largest playground companies in the UK. * Based in Chesterfield, the family owned company has 18 years experience in designing, manufacturing and installing timber play systems and outdoor structures. * It has a catalogue of over 400 products for outdoor gardens, parks and playgrounds. * For further information call 0845 606 6475 or visit www.timberline.co.uk.